At some point, Arcturus[2] was awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, for "Services to the Ministry".[3] His grandson Sirius believed that he received the honour because he had given the Ministry a large amount of gold.[2][3] The medal was left at 12 Grimmauld Place after his death; in 1995, Sirius found the medal while cleaning and threw it into a rubbish sack with contempt.[3]

Arcturus died in 1991. He had outlived both his siblings, his son, his daughter-in-law, and his younger grandson. He was survived by his daughter and his elder grandson.

Behind the scenes

Based on a statement by Horace Slughorn, Arcturus may have been a member of the Slytherin House. However, he attended Hogwarts c. 1912-1919, and Slughorn did not become the Potions master until approximately 1931.

Arcturus' second grandson was named Regulus Arcturus Black. Regulus was probably named in honour of his grandfather and his great-uncle, Arcturus's brother.

Etymology

Arcturus is the name of the brightest star in the constellation Boötes. Its name derives from Ancient Greek Αρκτοῦρος, meaning "bear guard"; this refers to the story in Greek mythology that Zeus placed Arcturus in the sky to look after Arcas and Callisto, who were turned into bears and then into the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor to protect them from Hera's wrath.

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